After the emotional and spiritual intensity of the Day of Arafah, pilgrims depart at sunset and travel to Muzdalifah - a desolate, sacred valley between Arafat and Mina. Here, under the open sky, over a million pilgrims will sleep on the bare ground, pray, collect pebbles for the Jamarat, and prepare for the busiest day of Hajj. The night at Muzdalifah is unlike any other night of your life.
Arrival and Prayer
Pilgrims leave Arafat immediately after sunset on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. The journey to Muzdalifah can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on traffic and crowd flow. Do not rush - the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) departed calmly and with dignity, telling his Companions: "O people, be calm. Rushing is not righteousness" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1671).
Upon arriving at Muzdalifah, the first and most important act is to pray Maghrib and Isha combined. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Maghrib (3 rak'ahs) and Isha (2 rak'ahs, shortened) together at the time of Isha, with one adhan and two iqamahs. Do not pray Maghrib before reaching Muzdalifah, even if the journey is long - combining the two prayers at Muzdalifah is the Sunnah.
If you arrive very late (some pilgrims do not reach Muzdalifah until after midnight due to extreme crowding), pray the combined prayers as soon as you arrive. Do not delay them until Fajr.
Collecting Pebbles
At Muzdalifah, pilgrims collect the pebbles they will use for the pelting of the Jamarat over the coming days. You need:
- 7 pebbles for the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (pelting the big Jamarah only)
- 21 pebbles for each day of Tashriq - 7 for each of the three Jamarat (small, medium, large)
- Total needed: 49 pebbles if departing on the 12th, or 70 if staying for the 13th
Collect a few extra in case some miss their target. The pebbles should be roughly the size of a chickpea or date seed - small enough to throw accurately but large enough to carry impact. Do not use large rocks, broken tiles, or any other objects. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically instructed small pebbles.
Pick them from a clean area of the ground. There is no requirement to wash them, though some scholars recommend it as a precaution. Store them in a small bag, bottle, or pouch that you can carry easily to the Jamarat.
Sleeping Under the Open Sky
Muzdalifah has no tents, no hotels, and minimal infrastructure. You sleep on the ground, under the stars, alongside a million other pilgrims. For many, this is one of the most profound experiences of the entire Hajj.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) chose to sleep at Muzdalifah. He did not spend the night in vigorous worship - he rested. This is significant: the Sunnah is to conserve energy for the demanding days ahead. The 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr) is the busiest day of Hajj, with pelting, sacrifice, shaving, and Tawaf al-Ifadah all to be performed. You need your strength.
That said, many pilgrims find it difficult to sleep. The ground is hard, the area is noisy with the murmur of a million people, and the emotional weight of the day at Arafah is still fresh. Some pilgrims spend time in quiet dhikr, Quran recitation, or simply lying still in gratitude. All of this is fine. The key is to rest, not to exhaust yourself with all-night worship.
Fajr at Muzdalifah
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Fajr at its earliest permissible time at Muzdalifah. This is one of the rare occasions where the Sunnah specifically emphasises praying at the very beginning of the prayer window rather than waiting.
After Fajr, the Prophet rode to al-Mash'ar al-Haram (the sacred monument within Muzdalifah), faced the Qiblah, and made dua - declaring Allah's greatness and proclaiming His oneness. He stood there supplicating until the daylight was very clear (Sahih Muslim 1218).
This is your final opportunity for intense supplication before the rites of the 10th begin. Stand at Muzdalifah, face the Qiblah, raise your hands, and call upon Allah with whatever is in your heart. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for your family. Ask for the Ummah. This is a blessed station where duas are answered.
Departure
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) departed Muzdalifah before sunrise, when the sky was very bright but the sun had not yet risen. Departing after sunrise was the practice of the pre-Islamic Quraysh, which the Prophet deliberately opposed.
Head toward Mina, continuing to recite the Talbiyah. The first act upon reaching Mina is the pelting of Jamarah al-Aqabah (the big Jamarah) - the beginning of the busiest day of your Hajj.
Exemptions from Staying the Full Night
The scholars agree that certain categories of pilgrims may leave Muzdalifah after midnight rather than staying until Fajr:
- Women - to avoid the dangerous crush at Fajr time
- Elderly pilgrims - who may not cope with the physical demands
- The sick or disabled
- Their companions - those accompanying vulnerable pilgrims may leave with them
This exemption is based on the hadith of Asma bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her), who waited at Muzdalifah until the moon had set, then departed with the Prophet's permission, and pelted the Jamarah before dawn (Sahih al-Bukhari 1679). If you are in a vulnerable category or accompanying someone who is, there is no sin in departing after midnight.
What to Pack for Muzdalifah
- A small prayer mat or ground sheet - the ground is rocky and dusty
- A light blanket or sleeping bag liner - late May nights in Saudi Arabia can drop to 28-30 degrees, which feels cool after a 40+ degree day
- A travel pillow - optional but helpful
- Water and snacks - there is limited access to food and drink at Muzdalifah itself
- A small bag for pebbles
- Phone charger / power bank - your phone is your lifeline
- Umbrella - for sun protection during the morning departure
- Earplugs and eye mask - if you want any chance of sleeping
Do not bring large luggage to Muzdalifah. Everything you carry, you carry on foot in the crowd. Pack a small day bag and leave everything else at your accommodation in Mina or Makkah.